How do I fix tank bracing / rim ??

[JK47]

I have no idea how to fix this but the rim on the corner of my 135 gallon glass tank is split about 1/8". The two panels it holds together are pulling apart slightly. How do I repair bracing around the top of the tank?

You can see the split here:


There is some added silicone in this area so obviously the seam has come apart at some point in the past.

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

Those rims are just there to add protection to the edges of the glass. So that the glass doesn't chip easily and because it is sharp. But they add no support to the panels of glass as far as holding them together. Thats the job of the silicone alone. If the glass is spread apart and causeing a problem you will need to strip the tank and reseal. It looks as if someone has allready resealed once before or perhaps placed a sloppy band aid on that seam.

 

[JK47]

Those rims are just there to add protection to the edges of the glass. So that the glass doesn't chip easily and because it is sharp. But they add no support to the panels of glass as far as holding them together. Thats the job of the silicone alone. If the glass is spread apart and causeing a problem you will need to strip the tank and reseal. It looks as if someone has allready resealed once before or perhaps placed a sloppy band aid on that seam.

Really, the rims don't add support? I'm not trying to be a pain but this is causing a little stress for me. The tank is in the garage until I get the stand finished and I CAN'T risk it coming apart in the house. We are renting and the landlord told me if my tank breaks, my family is out of there. I have resealed tanks before but never one with a broken rim. That concerns me, if I wanted to be extra sure and just fix it, how do I fix the rim?

 

[Fishermoe14]

the rim is a tiny plastic piece.. how can it add structural support?

 

[jcardona1]

some rims do help for support, but not that one. a rim that is cut in pieces will do nothing to support your tank, that is what the glass bracing in the middle/sides of your tank is for.

on smaller tanks you will see that the plastic trim is all one piece, these would help add support to the tank. but since yours is in sections, no worries

 

[jasoncambs]

can i see a 2 cracks downward either side of the silicone where the silicone is thin ???

if they are cracks then i would not use the tank at all

 

[JK47]

can i see a 2 cracks downward either side of the silicone where the silicone is thin ???

if they are cracks then i would not use the tank at all

They are not cracks. There is just a bunch of extra silicone slapped on the outside of the tank.

I get what everyone is saying about the plastic not providing support but in my experience it's better to ask if you do not know. Sorry for the lame question. The question still remains even if the rim adds no support, it's ugly. How do I replace it? I would like to do it all in one shot when I reseal the tank.

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

You could etheir find a specialty glue for that plastic and glue it back together when resealing. Or new ones can be purchased from the manufacturer. I had a 125 with a broken center brace and had to buy new ones from perfecto. The top alone was 110 bucks shipped. So just beware they will rape you on a new replacement. Another possibility is building a surround out of wood. Like 1''x2'' wood and screwing it together tightly around the top. Just over the plastic. I guarantee that will provide more support than any plastic frame can and it will be pretty cheap but it will not look as good.

 

[JK47]

You could etheir find a specialty glue for that plastic and glue it back together when resealing. Or new ones can be purchased from the manufacturer. I had a 125 with a broken center brace and had to buy new ones from perfecto. The top alone was 110 bucks shipped. So just beware they will rape you on a new replacement. Another possibility is building a surround out of wood. Like 1''x2'' wood and screwing it together tightly around the top. Just over the plastic. I guarantee that will provide more support than any plastic frame can and it will be pretty cheap but it will not look as good.

That's a hell of a piece of advice and what was I was looking for. Maybe since I am refinishing the canopy, I can leave room for something like that type of frame. I like the fact that it could actually add some support as well since the plastic does not. THANKS!

 

[Pharaoh]

Yeah, if you are going for looks, just replace the frame.

I would think you would be able to find them cheaper than $100. I can get a replacement for the 5' 120 that I have for about $20-$25.